Improvement in coloring tanned leather



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIGE.

IMPROVEMENT IN COLORING TANNED LEATHER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 41,01 1, dated December 22, 1863.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN H. LIGHT- FOOT, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Coloring Tanned Leather; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention consists in the application of petroleum or other oily hydrocarbon in combination with lamp-black or its equivalent to the coloring of tanned leather, which is effected more thoroughly and rapidly by this composition than by that usually employed.

The last process in the carrying of leather is termed blacking or coloring, and has hitherto been accomplished by rubbing in on the flesh side of the leather with a hard brush a color composed of fish-oil and lamp-black. Upon this is usually applied, with a brush or sponge, a coat of stiff size and tallow, and when dry it is rubbed with a broad, smooth lump of glass. It is important that the color should penetrate the leather thoroughly and quickly.

After repeated experiments I have found that the best coloring-vehicle is ordinary petroleum (or in place of the latter any other oily hydrocarbon) mixed with lamp-black or other coloring-matter.

About thirteen ounces of lamp-black and a gallon of petroleum Well mixed together form a suitable composition, which may be applied v to the leather in the usual way. This composition penetrates the leather with extraordinary rapidity, the coloring of the leather being accomplished not only in less time but more efficiently than by the application of the usual composition.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The application of petroleum or any other oily hydrocarbon, in combination with lampblack orits equivalent, to the colorin gof tanned leather, substantially as described.

In testimony whereoflhave signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BENJAMIN H. LIGHTFUOI.

Witnesses:

JOHN WHITE, HENRY HoWsoN. 

